Choosing a live-in care company to manage your loved one’s care is as important as deciding on the type of care itself. Now that you have decided on live-in care, it’s time to find the right carer. You might be wondering where to begin your search.
To guide you through the world of care service providers, we explore the different types of care companies out there, so that you can make a fully informed decision. What’s more, we will run through considerations to bear in mind when making your decision.
What is a live-in care company?
A live-in care company specialises in providing live-in care to individuals in their homes with support from a professional live-in carer. Guided by an individual’s care plan, a live-in care company will choose the ideal carer for each person they work with.
Live-in care encompasses many different types of care at home, from live-in dementia care to 24-hour care. This is because live-in care is a personalised form of care, tailored to the health needs and preferences of the individual. Live-in care companies offer a wide variety of services and have many experienced carers on hand to help with your specific care needs.
When you employ the services of a live-in care company, they will begin by fact-finding and gaining an understanding of what type of care is required. Once this is determined and a care plan is put together, the live-in care company will then find a carer who fits the skills and experience needed.
Depending on the level of involvement you require from a live-in care company, they can simply support your search for the perfect carer or assist further with the management of care.
Different types of live-in care companies
Whether you want full support with the management of care or would prefer the flexibility of an introductory service, there are different types of live-in care companies to choose from.
Fully managed care service
For individuals who would prefer that their care was under the full responsibility of a live-in care company, a fully managed care service would be a suitable choice. A fully managed care service takes over finding a perfect care match, the employment of carers, and their supervision.
Introductory care agency
For those wanting a more flexible alternative to a fully managed service, an introductory care agency may be more appropriate. As the name suggests, an introductory care agency introduces an individual to suitable self-employed carers. Once a carer is in place, it is the responsibility of the individual and their family to manage the carer’s employment.
Learn more about the differences between an introductory service and fully managed care.
Privately hired carer
You may wish to consider privately hiring a private carer. If you have a word-of-mouth recommendation or have come across a job listing on a care noticeboard, you may be tempted to pursue this route. Bear in mind that privately hiring a carer means you are responsible for vetting, hiring, and employing that individual, which requires a higher level of commitment.
Things to consider
To help choose a live-in care company, it can be useful to consider the following factors when deciding on which type of service would be the most suitable.
Care needs and preferences
The first step in deciding which service provider to choose is to outline health needs and personal preferences beforehand. Making a list of the tasks you or a loved one requires help with will speed up the process of arranging live-in care. Furthermore, by gaining a better understanding of your own needs, you will be much more likely to receive personalised care in line with your expectations.
Customer testimonials and reviews
Checking out the testimonials and reviews of current and past clients is your next step. These first-hand accounts will give you the best insight into how the live-in care company operates, the level of their customer service, and the proficiency of the carers working for them. For example, take a look at the Trustpilot reviews left by Trinity Homecare’s satisfied customers.
Experience
The skills and experience of the carer are important to consider. However, the number of years a live-in care company has been in operation is also worth bearing in mind. A company’s longevity suggests that they are proving time and again that they offer a good service to their clients.
CQC-Regulated
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the regulatory body for the care industry and any company regulated by them has to ensure that their services are in line with the CQC’s high standards. Trinity Homecare is a CQC-regulated live-in care company and proud recipient of an ‘outstanding’ rating in their last inspection. By choosing a CQC-regulated company you can ensure that you or your loved one’s care is in the safest possible hands.
Areas covered
Ensure that a care company covers your area. Only then will you be matched with a suitable carer who is knowledgeable of the local services and amenities that may be essential in an emergency situation.
Specialist care
If you or a loved one have specific health needs, it makes sense to opt for a live-in care company that provides complex care at home. From dementia care to disability care, ask a live-in care company if they can offer personalised care for your health condition.
What to expect from a live-in care company
If you have not previously used a home care service, you may be unsure how to assess whether a potential live-in care company is right for you. Here are some things you should expect from a good home care agency:
- Fully trained and qualified professional carers
- Flexible and adaptable approach to care
- Availability and responsiveness of support staff
- Open communication between the agency, client, family, and carers
- Transparent pricing and contracts
- Safety of clients and carers is paramount
Get in touch today
By choosing the right live-in care company, you can rest assured that the care received will be fully personalised, in line with your care plan, and that the service will be to the highest standard. Trinity Homecare are able to match your loved one with the perfect live-in carer to assist with their health needs and preferences and support them along the way.
If you would like to learn more about arranging live-in care for your loved one, get in touch with our friendly and professional care team.
Arranging live-in COPD care with Trinity is simple. Just follow these five steps:
- Call our care team
- Undergo a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your care needs and arrange a care assessment
- After the assessment, a plan of care is created
- A well suited carer is found and placed
- Care can be adapted at any time
